Manchester United

Victor Lindelof lavishes praise on "fantastic" Lisandro Martinez

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 13 October 2022

Manchester United's Victor Lindelof says that he is enjoying playing alongside "fantastic player" Lisandro Martinez in the middle of the defence.

Manchester United's Victor Lindelof has said that he is enjoying playing alongside Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the team's defence.

Lindelof was absent in the early weeks of the 2022-23 campaign due to injury, and when he returned, Raphael Varane and Martinez had established themselves as the team's first-choice partnership.

Varane suffered an ankle injury in the Manchester derby on October 2, though, which saw him miss out against Omonia in the Europa League last week and only appear as a late substitute against Everton on Sunday.

Lindelof has now played the full 90 minutes in Man United's last two matches and will be bidding to keep hold of his starting role against Omonia on Thursday night.

The Sweden international has branded his centre-back partner Martinez "a fantastic player", hailing the summer arrival for his strong performances since arriving from Ajax.

Lisandro Martinez in action for Manchester United on October 2, 2022 © Reuters

"It's been good. Since he came he has been performing at a good level and he is a fantastic player, he is very good with the ball," Lindelof told reporters.

"I have played two games with him now and the last game now was better than the first one, we played a good game."

Lindelof, speaking ahead of Thursday's European clash with Omonia, also revealed that there is a strong atmosphere in the group due to the team's recent form.

"I think the feeling in the group is very good. We have a lot of good players and good people in the squad who make it good energy," he added.

"At a club you always have good team spirit and we have it at the moment. We hope we can carry keep improving, keep performing and keep winning games."

Manchester United players celebrate Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against Everton on October 9, 2022 © Reuters

Man United suffered a 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League at the start of the month, but they have won seven of their last nine matches in all competitions.

Erik ten Hag's side responded to their defeat against Pep Guardiola's side by overcoming Omonia in the Europa League last week before recording a 2-1 victory over Everton in the league on Sunday.

After Thursday's clash with Omonia at Old Trafford, the Red Devils will take on Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur in back-to-back home Premier League fixtures.

Varane is a doubt for the European clash with Neil Lennon's side after missing training on Wednesday, while Harry Maguire remains on the sidelines with the hamstring problem that he suffered while representing England during the September international break.